I knew that God was with me: Sehwag

Players celebrate their win in the fourth one-day international cricket match against West Indies at The Holkar Stadium in Indore. AFP Photo

West Indies batsman Samuels is bowled by Rahul Sharma during their 4th ODI at Holkar Stadium in Indore. HT photo/Santosh Harhare

West Indies' Marlon Samuels plays a shot during their fourth one-day international cricket match against India in Indore. Reuters Photo

Rahul Sharma (R) celebrates after taking the wicket of West Indies batsman Danza Hyatt during their fourth one-day international cricket match at The Holkar Stadium ...

Rahul Sharma bowls during the fourth one-day international cricket match against West Indies at The Holkar Stadium in Indore. AFP Photo

Rahul Sharma is congratulated by teammates after he took the wicket of West Indies' Kieron Pollard (R) during their fourth one-day international cricket match in ...

Virender Sehwag plays a shot during their 4th ODI match against the West Indies in Indore. Reuters Photo

Virender Sehwag celebrates scoring his century during their fourth ODI against West Indies in Indore. Reuters Photo

Virender Sehwag and Gautam Gambhir during the 4th ODI cricket match against West Indies at the Holkar stadium in Indore. PTI Photo

Virender Sehwag, right, and teammate Gautam Gambhir greet each other during their fourth one-day international cricket match against West Indies in Indore. AP Photo

Stand-in captain Virender Sehwag, who on Thursday created history by scoring the highest ODI score of 219, admitted that he never expected to score a double hundred although the thought only crossed his mind during the batting Powerplays.

"I never expected to score a double hundred. While opening the innings, I told Gautam Gambhir that if we can show some patience on this track, we will be in for a big one as the wicket is a good one. The outfield is fantastic and the distance of the boundary is only 50 yards," Sehwag said after his epic knock of 219 off just 149 balls against the West Indies.

The dashing opener said that once the batting powerplay started, the thought of reaching double hundred crossed his mind.

"It was only after the batting powerplay started, I felt that I could reach double hundred. Also when Sammy dropped me (at 170), I knew that God was with me," Sehwag stated.

He thanked his family and thousands of fans who had always had the expectation that he can score a double hundred in ODIs.

"I want to thank my family and fans. I know people expected me to score a double century. Today when I wanted to hit a six, I just did that."

Sehwag said that he was determined to make amends for the string of poor scores in the first three ODIs.

"I have said this earlier also that the top-order needs to contribute. It was a wicket where one could score big runs if he stayed around for 30 overs."

The historic knock certainly seemed to have taken a toll on Sehwag as he smiled and said: "Obviously, I am very tired. I am an old man now and my back gets stiff. So I need to take an ice bath."